Studio Business

 I went up to the Studio today with a mission- to cut up some wood for future prints.  Doing my last Robert Johnson block used the last of the the birch plywood I had in stock, but I knew I had an old piece of lauan stashed behind the tall cabinet and brooms.  A little bit warped, but so was the last boardwalk woodcut I had done, and I got through that all right.  More importantly, it dated to the last time the lauan was made without all staples that started showing up in newer pieces.   If nothing else, I might be able to use it to make more boardwalk blocks.  Maybe something else as well.

The piece of lauan I had was partly behind a tall cabinet, a mirror, my tripod easel, some brooms and dustpans, and other junk.  I moved the mirror, and the wood slid out easily after that.  I could see some curvature in it, but I hope it's not so much to be a problem.  I assembled my saw, used the previously finished boardwalk block as a measuring device, and marked to size two blocks.  Borrowing Molly's extension cord, I sawed the two boardwalk blocks from the large piece of lauan I had.  What was left was almost as large as a boardwalk block, so I cut off that as well.  Perhaps it can be the next hospital print I have plans for.  I used a broom and dustpan from that corner to clean up all the sawdust this generated.

One thing I realized even before I left the Studio was that back when I used to use lauan, I used to coat it first (and then sand it down) with some wood filler, advice from one of my college professors who also used to use the stuff for large woodcuts.  I don't know if I have any wood filler these days.  I think the last time I bought any was at a store that no longer exists.  Before I cut off the blocks I may need, I cut off a piece of scrap wood.  I brought that scrap home, figuring I can test my pencils and tools on that, and see if I can cut this stuff without the filler.  It does make for a smoother surface, good for drawing for sure, and perhaps printing as well.  If I can get by without it, perhaps I will.  If I find that I need it, I may have to get another tub of the stuff, and maybe a new putty knife as well.